CD Review: Mastodon - "The Hunter"

Most bands that
contemplate doing
a concept album
do so only once or
twice in their careers.
Mastodon has
already done four.
Starting with 2002’s bone-rattling Remission
and climaxing with 2009’s prog-metal epic
Crack the Skye, the sludge-factory quartet
has thrived on composing complex, multifaceted
masterpieces that take the listener
on a fascinating odyssey. But with The
Hunter, Mastodon loosens the recording
reins to offer up a wider spectrum of musical
goodness.

Though The Hunter represents a new
writing and recording approach for the
band, “Black Tongue” and “Curl of the
Burl” are classic Mastodon rippers held
together by swaggering rhythms and
brawny riffing. And Hinds and Bill Kelliher
even occasionally play lines that hearken
to the synchronized buzz-saw sound of
2004’s Leviathan. With its spaced-out, jangly
arpeggiated runs, “The Hunter” has a
Crack the Skye vibe, it delivers one of Hinds’
strongest, most soulful solos to date. “The
Ruiner” is a more refined and laid-back
version of Remission’s “Crusher Destroyer,”
with chugging verses and breakdowns loaded
with pinch harmonics.

Chris Kies has degrees in Journalism and History from the University of Iowa and has been with PG dating back to his days as an intern in 2007. He maintains the website and social media, occasionally writes an artist feature, regularly hosts Rig Rundowns, and shoots/edits video for NAMM show coverage. Other than that, he spends time with his pitbull and enjoys non-guitar-related hobbies.

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